Homeowners’ concerns compiled

October 13, 2012

MARTINSBURG - With a membership of more than 7,500 homeowners, keeping apprised of the top concerns of area homeowner associations can be a daunting task.

In May, members of the Eastern Panhandle Organization of Homeowner Associations drafted a membership survey to determine homeowners' greatest concerns, common problems and topics of interest.

"Everyone wants to do the best thing and meet the needs of the homeowners, but no one really knew what was going on in each HOA. We have people who are in a farming environment, people who are in a city environment and a suburban environment just within Jefferson and Berkeley County," said Susanne Malesic, one of the drafters of the survey.

A 20-question survey was distributed to all EPOHOA members, structured around the four principles designated in the EPOHOA's by-law preamble: common problems, solutions, communication and cohesive force.

From the survey, seven topics emerged as the greatest concerns, including annual dues and fees, homeowner participation, HOA boards, roads, by-law and covenants, law enforcement and water/stormwater management.

"It's all local issues, how to collect a levy and special funds, how to increase their residence participation, how to manage the HOA in a professional, legal manner and how to maintain their legal responsibilities," Malesic said.

Although the survey encompassed a wide participant pool, none of the top topics chosen came as a surprise to the EPOHOA board members or the members who wrote the questionnaire.

"These are all topics that have been brought before the (EPOHOA) board during the monthly meetings," Malesic said. "This survey helped focus the issues into an order of concerns."

The survey was not only intended to be a tool for homeowners, but also a resource to help direct the EPOHOA's efforts to assist members, conduct meaningful workshops and feature relevant guest speakers at the organization's monthly meeting.

"The goal is to have workshops and to have them open to members and non-EPOHOA members," said Jennifer Syron, a co-drafter of the survey. "Some of the things that we also want is for committees to form within the EPOHOA that would address these issues and would be able to meet separately."

Survey results can be found on the EPOHOA's website at www.epohoa.org.